American Jobs
The United States is the world’s leading producer of oil and natural gas, and as a result of greater use of clean-burning natural gas and cleaner, more efficient fuels, we are also a world leader in reducing carbon emissions and other air pollutants. We have a proven model for achieving environmental progress without sacrificing jobs, economic growth, energy security or consumer affordability. Our political leadership has the opportunity to continue, and expand upon, the American energy revolution by implementing policies that recognize our energy reality, both today and tomorrow, and are based on sound science and economics.
We must seize the career opportunities that the oil and gas sector can provide to a diverse American labor force with the potential to break the cycle of generational poverty. Allowing investments in the oil and gas industry could create good-paying job opportunities for minorities and women. African American and Hispanic workers are projected to account for close to 25 percent of new hires in management, business and financial jobs through 2035. Of the women projected to be hired by the industry, more than half are expected to fill management and professional occupations.
More: Energy Works For America (PDF)
Powering the Workforce of the Future
As an industry that supports 10.9 million American jobs, natural gas and oil companies are preparing for the future of energy by investing in a diverse, inclusive and resilient workforce. API members are committed to attracting and retaining the next generation of engineers, scientists and skilled laborers – the problem solvers who will tackle the world’s greatest energy challenges.
Millennials in the Oil & Natural Gas and Petrochemical Industries
With nearly 1.9 million job opportunities projected in the oil & natural gas and petrochemical industries through 2035, there is a vast opportunity for the industry to attract, retain, and develop lifelong careers for Millennials. Millennials today have unique characteristics that will enable them to power past impossible. By harnessing this generation’s unshakable confidence in a better future and use of technology, the industry is positioned well to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges.
Stem Education and Employment
Jobs that require STEM skills and training currently comprise 20 percent of all jobs in the U.S.economy. Current projections anticipate that the STEM economy will grow about 9 percent between 2014 and 2024—faster than the growth rate projected for all other occupations. As an industry that supports 7.6 percent of the U.S economy and 10.3 million American jobs, many of which are STEM jobs, the oil and natural gas industry has a great interest in better understanding and promoting the relationship between STEM education and employment.
Skilled Trades Employment in the Pipeline Industry: 2006-2015
The Oil and Gas Industry Labor-Management Committee, led by API and North America’s Building Trades Unions, released a study on union pipeline employment across the county.
Veterans and Energy
A vast opportunity exists for the oil and natural gas industry to attract, retain, and develop lifelong careers for veterans in the industry. Veterans come to the civilian workforce with extensive technical and nontechnical skills gained through military experience and training. Many of these skills have direct applicability to the oil and gas industry, making them ideal candidates to fill the projected 1.3 million job opportunities available in the oil and natural gas industry.
Offshore Energy Development Economic Studies (2017)
The following studies commissioned by API, and authored by Calash and Northern Economics, provide an independent evaluation of the potential positive economic impacts for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and natural gas development.
Minority and Female Employment - 2015-2035
Continuing a series of research studies, the IHS report titled Minority and Female Employment in the Oil & Natural Gas and Petrochemical Industries, 2015-2035 examines the long-term U.S. demographic and labor market trends that will create future job opportunities for minorities and women in the oil & natural gas and petrochemical industries.
Attitudes of Women Seeking Employment
A vast opportunity exists for the oil and natural gas industry to attract, retain, and develop life long careers for women in the industry. A critical part of recruiting more women is understanding their attitudes and perceptions in regards to the oil and natural gas industry. Through a series of focus groups and a national survey, American Viewpoint and Lake Research Partners learned what is important to women when making employment decisions, what they already know and understand about the oil and natural gas industry, and what messages resonate with them.
Women & Minorities in the Oil & Natural Gas Industry
A vast opportunity exists for the oil and natural gas industry to attract, retain, and develop life long careers for women and minorities. Nearly 1.9 million job opportunities are projected in the oil & natural gas and petrochemical industries through 2035. Women and minority workers represent a critically vital and available talent pool to help meet the demands of the projected growth and expansion.
A Comparison of US Oil and Natural Gas Policies
Wood Mackenzie has evaluated the impact on the US economy of various pro-development policies and regulatory constraints in the oil and natural gas sectors.